Wine Ratings 101

How Wine Ratings Came to Be

Wine ratings are both standardized and controversial. They often reflect individual preferences and tastes yet provide a systematic way to rank the quality of a wine. As a result, you may find yourself agreeing with certain wine critics more than others. This article breaks down what those ratings mean.

University of California, Davis

The original wine ratings were developed at America’s top winemaking school, UC Davis. Initially, a 20-point system intended for California winemakers, it graded the quality of the wine based on production metrics: clarity, flavor, and stability. Over time, this system evolved into the 100-point system we use today, but the core concepts remain. Wine ratings assess the correctness of the wine according to industry standards, not necessarily its deliciousness, which is a common misconception among consumers.

Robert Parker

A renowned wine critic, Robert Parker created the 100-point system while working for Wine Enthusiast Magazine. Initially, it faced considerable objection and controversy, particularly from winemakers producing sub-standard wines. Parker later founded his magazine, “The Wine Advocate,” offering independent assessments free of bias.

Master Sommeliers & Masters in Wine

When Parker introduced his rating system, many wine critics had vested interests in the wines and their market performance. Consequently, Parker became the sole authority on wine rankings. However, numerous sommeliers also provide well-informed reviews. Critics like Jancis Robinson, Karen McNeil, Keith Wallace, and James Suckling are notable for their excellent wine reviews.

Wine Review Panels

Another method for rating wines involves wine panels. Reputable wine magazines often gather panels of Master Sommeliers and Masters of Wine to blind taste and score wines, ensuring transparency by covering the bottles. The collective points from these tastings result in an average ranking for the wine.

What Wine Ratings Mean

Ratings are specific within a category. Wines are judged according to their region, grape, and style. For instance, a 90-point rating could apply to a Napa Cabernet Sauvignon, a Blanc de Blanc Champagne, or an Amarone, each with a distinct context.

Wine Ratings Overview

Wine reviewers rank wines on a scale that emphasizes balance, length, complexity, and intensity:

• Classic 98-100: The pinnacle of quality.
• Superb 94-97: An extraordinary achievement.
• Excellent 90-93: Heartily recommended.
• Very Good 87-89: Often good value; well recommended.
• Good 83-86: Suitable for everyday consumption; often good value.
• Acceptable 80-82: Suitable for casual, less-critical circumstances.

Wines receiving a rating below 80 are usually unpublished, indicating a fault or lack of outstanding qualities. Price is not a factor in ratings; for example, a 90-point bottle could cost $15, while a similarly rated wine might cost ten times that. However, wines are judged within the context of their price, varietal, and regional style. For instance, a $15 bottle of Zinfandel from Sonoma is rated against similarly priced Zins from California.

Wine Ratings Websites & Apps

Wine Ratings Free:

• Wine Enthusiast: High-quality professional reviews.
• Wine School of Philadelphia: Publishing wine ratings for 20 years.
• Reverse Wine Snob: An excellent wine blog.

Wine Rating Subscriptions:

• Wine Spectator: A classic wine magazine with a deep database of reviews.
• Vinous: An up-and-coming wine review site with top critics.
• Wine Advocate: An industry staple and one of the best rating sources.

Wine Rating Apps:

• Vivino: Best for crowd-sourced wine reviews.
• Wine-Searcher: Classic app to find wines and reviews.
• CellarTracker: This is for wine collectors to organize their cellars.

Your Questions About Wine Ratings, Answered

Should You Trust Wine Ratings?

Publications listed in this guide, such as Wine Enthusiast, Wine Spectator, and Wine Advocate, are trustworthy. However, be cautious of less reputable reviewers whose ratings may not be as reliable.

Top Wine Publications:

• Wine Enthusiast
• Wine Spectator
• Wine Advocate
• Falstaff
• Guia Penin
• Burghound

Top Independent Critics:

• Neal Martin
• James Suckling
• Eric Asimov
• Jeb Dunnuck

What is the best wine rating system?

The most respected wine rating system in the trade is Vinous, followed by Wine Advocate and Wine Spectator.

How do I find wine ratings?

One of the easiest ways to find wine ratings is in a wine shop, where ratings are often posted for the wines they carry.

What is a 91 rating for wine?

A 91-point rating means the wine is an excellent example of its style, though it may not guarantee you will enjoy it or find it worth buying.

What are the grades of wine?

Wine is graded using a 100-point scale. Scores below 87 typically indicate an average wine, while ratings above 93 point to exceptional quality.